Header leak keeps coming back

[chezwic]

Oh, how I wish my car could go just one summer without any issues. My headers continue to leak at the block. Actually it's just the one most of the time. I have the gasket changed, and in a month or so, it is leaking again. Any suggestions on how to address this?? Are there special gaskets for this? Should I get new headers, or have them treated somehow?

306 Motorsports shortblock, Trickflow twisted wedge heads, BBK Equal Length Headers.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[smallstang393]

ep
how old are they? what gasket are you running? edit : bbk usally have a good flange so thats strange. Are the bolts backing out?

 

[04sleeper]

Try pulling the header off and checking the flange with a straight edge. Make sure it is true and straight.

If not you can bring it to a machine shop and have it resurfaced to make it true and straight again.

Using Felpro 1415 gaskets should work just fine as long as the headers are in good shape.

 

[C6AE]

I have some BBK equals on my Coupe, I used copper gaskets and it's been about 3 years with no leaks.
Now my Bassani X pipe on the other hand won't seal to the BBK's...

 

[91lxttrim]

For the first few weeks you have to keep tightening the header bolts because they will come loose. After that they should be ok.

 

[04sleeper]

Now my Bassani X pipe on the other hand won't seal to the BBK's...

Sometimes x-pipes/h-pipes will expand at the ball and socket type collector at the header. Especially if they had been taken off more than once.

What happens is that where the pipe flares out to connect to the header, it stretches to fit around the header collector. The more times you take them on and off the more it stretches leaving the potential to leak.

You can buy a sleeve that fits inside the x-pipe/h-pipe where it connects to the header so it will seal.

Also be sure when tightening the pipe up that you tighten each side evenly. If you tighten one side too much then it could cause the pipes to leak.

Hope this helps.

 

[C6AE]

You can buy a sleeve that fits inside the x-pipe/h-pipe where it connects to the header so it will seal.

Hmmm, any idea who carries this?
Thanks

 

[04sleeper]

Hmmm, any idea who carries this?
Thanks

The ones I have seen come with the x/h-pipe kits.

They look similar to this but are flared on the end a little different. They just slide into the existing pipe to give it a better seal.

I would try calling Jegs or Summit Racing.

 

[chezwic]

I'm not sure what type of gaskets were used. I haven't checked the bolts yet. Been too busy lately to do the work myself.

I have ProCharger on this thing pushing around 16-18 pounds of boost at times. Are forced induction setups more prone to this type of exhuast leak??

 

[Glenn]

What finally seems to have solved my problem is dead-soft aluminum gaskets. I got some at autozone for $20.

 

[AnthonyR23]

I have had constant exhaust leak problems too.. just got bbk equal length headers... and thankfully there is no exhaust leak between the headers and the heads.. which is great... I have tried to tighten them too once in awhile because I just put them in. But now my h pipe is leaking where it mounts up to the new headers... but just ordered a pacesetter offroad x pipe... so hopefully that does the trick... they are the style that is in three pieces.. which I think will actually be a good thing... cause I can get each individual pipe on each side bolted up nice and snug.. I think I am gonna pick up some high temp silicon... which may help..

 

[jammer84_03]

its bbk...cheap for a reason. make sure the flange is true at the local machine shop like mensioned above. after that, use some locking header botls like stage 9. those work wonders